Quantum Leaps in Swimming: Remembering Hall of Fame Coach Don Swartz

The swimming world has lost a true legend with the passing of Don Swartz. He died earlier this week while vacationing in Costa Rica due to complications from the flu, as reported across the community (including SwimSwam and North Bay Aquatics announcements). The news hit hard just days ago, leaving shock, sadness, and deep appreciation in its wake.

When Brett and I were working with ASCA, we recreated Don’s famous “Quantum Leap” talk and then we had Don on himself.

The interview with Brett is a beautiful, timeless conversation that captures exactly why Don was so revered. Hearing him reflect on the "Quantum Leap," the power of declaration of intent, flow states, and learning from the athletes themselves still feels relevant in 2026.

That 1983 ASCA talk wasn't just groundbreaking then; it's still a blueprint for coaches chasing breakthroughs today.

Don wasn't a former swimmer himself, yet he entered the sport with fresh eyes, fearless experimentation, and a genuine love for helping people swim better - whether that meant faster times, longer distances, or simply feeling great in the water.

He coached Rick DeMont to Olympic glory, founded the Creative Performance Institute to champion the mental game, influenced generations through his risk-taking philosophy, and in his "retirement" returned to North Bay Aquatics in 2005 to coach seniors and Masters with the same passion. Even at 79, he was still on deck, still teaching, still believing in the potential of every swimmer.

His message of sharing knowledge openly, paying attention to the fastest athletes, empowering kids beyond their imaginations, and embracing confidence as the most important "muscle" will continue to echo. The swim community is better because of him -more thoughtful, more innovative, more human.

RIP, Coach Swartz. Thank you for the quantum leaps you inspired.